Interview for Netvalar personal blog and Sellaband website - March 2008
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am an easy-going singer/songwriter who wants the chance to write, record and play songs to people who want to hear them. I am never content and am quite creative - alongside music I enjoy film, painting, novel writing and portrait photography. That ok? What else do you want to know? I like Natalie Portman, the girl from the Pussycat Dolls, watching football and apple crumble and custard - preferably all at the same time.
What happened with the band Bullet Galloway?
I had 4 and a half years with this band playing and recording in London. It was a good time - the drummer was from my first band in Bournemouth and we all got on really well. I wrote 95% of the material and we played some pretty big gigs, but despite a couple of near misses we didn't get that traditional record deal. In the end, one of the quartet was moving away from London and the other two were tied quite closely to their working careers. My musical ambition was a bit bigger I suppose so I changed tack a bit and I feel a lot more comfortable now. They now have the money and a good life and I am left with the burning ambition and the debts. Time will tell if I am stupid or clever...
You describe Jen's vocals as sultry, jazzy, and folky. How though would you describe your songwriting and guitar playing?
Jen has great raw ability. There are so many technically brilliant, note-perfect female singers out there, but I just enjoy listening to Jen's natural voice. She will get better and better as well. (It is easier to talk about other people than yourself but I will stop delaying my answer now...!)
My guitar playing is fairly normal and basic - I play the simple stuff the song needs but I am no guitar wizard. I see my songwriting as an ever-developing thing. I write melodies in my head when there is silence and I hope one of my strengths is that I write about a variety of things - the past, the present, the future, me, not me, political things, situations I have seen and situations I haven't. I don't think I am too self-indulgent in my lyrics and I don't write for cathartic reasons. I hope all of this combines to deliver songs that people enjoy and lyrics that either strike a chord or just articulate a few things that are worth saying.
What is the best memory you have interacting with one of your fans?
This is a difficult one - it is hard to pick one moment. Seeing people you don't know mouthing your lyrics in the crowd is always quite special because you progress from friends in the crowd...to friends in crowd who know the words...to people you don't know in the crowd that know the words - and it feels like you are getting somewhere.
Interacting with 25 individuals who watched and attended Songs from Soho (a live 3 hour recording session) was a great experience - that is definitely right up there...
The other day, one of my fans/believers Richard Markham wrote some words in a review that made me think that the songs really do have an effect on people. Don't get me wrong, if it all ended tomorrow I will have seen my musical adventures as a failure, but reading words like those make the tough times seem worthwhile.
What made you decide to align yourself as an artist to S.O.S. Children's Villages?
I don't claim to have aligned myself but I have travelled to a few places in eastern europe and caught a glimpse of the poverty that exists amongst nice, bright, young families. I felt like it was a part of the world that was a bit forgotten with all the great fundraising work that takes place for Africa and disaster relief. Whenever I came home I found myself in conversations where people were worrying about trivial things like curtains, home furnishings and stuff. Not only did it make me feel different but something snapped so I did a bit of research. I wanted to find a non-faith linked charity that gave people a chance to have a good life who would otherwise be denied that.
I see from the S.O.S. website, they attempt to build strong communities to assist in providing for the children who may be without proper family ties. What is your take on this?
I think it is brilliant. I dedicated a small amount of time to organising one event, but there are amazing people who dedicate years and years of their life to this. I take my hat off to the people who become S.O.S. 'mothers' and give orphans a shared family home. I don't do much at all, but if I can support them a bit and help to increase visibility of their work, then I will be happy.
Do you prefer the recording experience most or performing the songs live?
I love both. I have done hundreds of gigs but only a dozen or so sessions, so recording still feels new to me. Creating something and capturing something that can be listened to again and again is really special - but not everyone can recreate the music to a good standard live, so I enjoy the (more sociable) challenge of doing this with my band.
I see that a couple of the live shows you have done were shown via the internet by the venue. Do you think this is something that every venue should look into doing?
To be able to write music and play good gigs for a sustained period means you can't just be big in your own town. You need to let as many people hear your recorded work and you need to let as many people hear your live sound. The internet is a great way to do this providing the sound (and picture) quality is good enough. All of a sudden, like the other night, I can have people from Australia and Colombia listening to my gig. They can hear unrecorded new material and be involved in the live side of your work if they wish. So yes, providing quality is good, I think more venues should do it. It is always something I am thinking of when I book certain venues.
Where do you see the current music industry going?
Big question! I think at the moment the pop music world is too closely linked to celebrity and in general music is so commercial it has become a product like a can of beans. I have always seen it as art and hate to see it given away so cheaply or just copied from a friend's collection.
The major labels have been too reactive and not proactive enough. They have taken a juvenile stance against piracy and been signing new acts as carbon copies of a different label's recently successful act. The desires of the public have been lost - they have told them what to buy rather than trying to give them what they want.
I think ultimately the power will continue to be taken away from them but it is no good pretending it has already happened. There are some great bands out there and the choice is still pretty vast if you know where to look. 95% of the bands I listen and aspire to are signed to major labels and have been given the chance to record albums and play to big crowds by having those deals.
I think enterprises like Sellaband, if they are conducted well and continue to value music, will be part of a great new future. Sadly I fear this will all be alongside Karaoke Idol on TV and the paparazzi following people until they top themselves...
I don't want to end on a negative so please think of Natalie Portman or apple crumble and custard.
